Author Topic: Concrete Pad (Read 5351 times)

flamingoezz · « **on:** June 09, 2019, 08:19:39 pm »

I poured my cement pad today. It looks pretty level -- 1/8 - 1/4" slope per 4ft. I noticed though that there is a bit of a dip in the center (around 1/2" in spots). Its supposed to rain tomorrow so I'll have an idea if water is going to pool there. Structurally is this an issue for hot tubs? Not sure how the bracing in a tub is set up -- it is Artesian Island Elite if that matters.

Hot Tub Forum · « **on:** June 09, 2019, 08:19:39 pm »

Tman122 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2019, 07:12:30 am »

Yes it's a problem! Pour a leveling compound on it.

bud16415 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2019, 09:14:02 am »

I agree. Your tub has an ABS base so water pooling under it wouldn�t be as big of a problem as a tub without, but I would also want full support below the tub.

Now is the time to do it when it is fresh, clean and new and there isn�t a tub on top.

flamingoezz · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2019, 10:48:00 am »

Thanks for the input. Tub doesn't arrive for 3-4 more weeks so I'll tackle smoothing it out before then. Is there a recommended product for tubs? I'm hoping I can just skim coat to fill low spots rather than add 1/4-1/2" to the slab height

bud16415 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2019, 04:54:58 pm »

This product can be bought at your local home center apron and vest places.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bKfX3uejEM

flamingoezz · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2019, 08:04:38 pm »

That stuff looks more like silly putty than cement. Anyone use it for this purpose? Can you screed it like cement and then just smooth it out? does it self level at all?

flamingoezz · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2019, 08:51:37 pm »

Upon further review it looks like the worst dips are around 1/4" with a majority being around 1/8". Given that concrete has rocks in it, i'd imagine most of it is not 100% flat. Is this within tolerance or am I still needing a trip to the home store?

I uploaded some photos to google drive for reference: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-1R8LSyKEFH9DLRKtMKQcbTcOHRa0FJU

bud16415 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2019, 07:47:06 am »

It looks to me like the dips are not so bad. I would worry more about the texture. Most concrete is finished after it is poured and the process of working the surface takes the larger stones down and floats the cream to the top producing a smooth surface.

The tub empty weighs around 800 pounds and with water about 6000. when they install it they will slide it and I would be afraid of the course surface being hard on the ABS pan.

Talk to the installers and see what they say.

Sam · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2019, 01:02:02 pm »

Based upon the provided information, it looks fine to me.

swilly1000 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2019, 04:54:14 pm »

That's a pretty rough surface. Why didn't you smooth it out?

flamingoezz · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2019, 03:21:06 pm »

I did. stone in the concrete mix came back up to the top, especially near the middle where I couldn't reach as well with the float.

I bought some quickset mortar to smooth out the surface a bit.

Quote from: swilly1000 on June 16, 2019, 04:54:14 pm

That's a pretty rough surface. Why didn't you smooth it out?

flamingoezz · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2019, 08:48:25 am »

Just in case others are checking back, I added some quikrete rapidset mortar and was able to smooth out the top. Pretty good product for this application.

bud16415 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2019, 08:09:07 am »

Quote from: flamingoezz on June 25, 2019, 08:48:25 am

Just in case others are checking back, I added some quikrete rapidset mortar and was able to smooth out the top. Pretty good product for this application.

That will work. The silly putty stuff would have even worked better.

Hot Tub Forum · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2019, 08:09:07 am »

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